Occupations

[krispi]

I currently do retail pricing for a homebuilder. Because of the dip in the homebuilding market and the fact that I''m really not a numbers person, it''s not enjoyable right now. I was a corporate trainer for 6 years, and I''d love to go back to that! The other morning, I heard one of the DJ''s on the radio state that even if she won the lottery, she''d still come to work every day because she genuinely enjoyed her job. I''d love to find something like that!!!

 

[sandia_rose]

Date: 2/25/2008 12:00:16 PM
Author: krispi
I currently do retail pricing for a homebuilder. Because of the dip in the homebuilding market and the fact that I'm really not a numbers person, it's not enjoyable right now. I was a corporate trainer for 6 years, and I'd love to go back to that! The other morning, I heard one of the DJ's on the radio state that even if she won the lottery, she'd still come to work every day because she genuinely enjoyed her job. I'd love to find something like that!!!

If I won the lottery, I'd still work. Don't get me wrong - I like my present job/company/co-workers. The only difference would be that I would do things that I am interested in/good at but can't presently pursue because I have to maintain a certain income level. Connecticut is the most expensive state in the union to live in (with the exception of maybe New York City), and I have to make a certain amount of money to be able to pay all of the normal living expenses (and that is without any money left over for fun, like vacations and dinners out). I have no family here, so I'm on my own as far as making it work. My parents are gone, I don't have an extended family and my brothers were much, much smarter than I was --- they moved Southwest after college, where the cost of living and weather are better. I did make an attempt to move to NM two and a half years ago...but the catch was that my ex-husband wasn't going to allow me to take my son with me and wouldn't negotiate any reasonable visitation schedule. Confronted with the choices between being a mother to my son and moving where I'd be happier living, I chose my child. I still do intend to move once my son is in college and/or out on his own. Aside from him and my current BF, I have no real reason to stay in this state. I have friends all over the country, so they're not keeping me here...

Before I found the job I have now, I'd be scanning job boards and postings in different places and would be thinking, "Wow, that'd be sooo much fun to do and I would LOVE going to work everyday...but they're only paying entry-level wages." Entry-level in this market is about $25K and often without health insurance, which isn't enough for a college kid to live on, nevermind a 39 year old with an 8 year old child. But if I didn't have to worry about money, I'd write, do freelance photography, teach painting and drawing classes out of my home (which would be in Santa Fe or the Albuquerque foothills). My home would look like: http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/uploadedImages/articles/issues/2008-03-01/STOCK_HAVARD1.JPG and http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/uploadedImages/articles/issues/2008-03-01/STOCK_HAVARD6.JPG, and when not there, I would travel all over the world meeting people, writing about my experiences and taking pictures. If I made money, fine. If not, also fine.

Being creative is very important to me, but it unfortunately does not pay the bills. I can't tell you about all of the former graphic designers and creatives I've known who abandoned those careers for management and more executive-style jobs, simply to be able to afford to eat something other than ramen noodles all the time. It's a shame that I make more money doing research than I did when I produced work from my heart and soul. The American economy doesn't see the value and life-enrichment importance in creative jobs....or in jobs that are meaningful (like teaching...teachers are very underpaid) for that matter.

Bridget in Connecticut.

 

[Delster]

I''m a grad student, nearly finished my PhD and I''m also a qualified lawyer. BF is an engineer, he currently works for a research company that''s trying to commercialise his PhD.

 

[misscuppycake]

Graduating this April with a Bachelor of Arts and then hopefully getting into the education program for this coming September! *fingers crossed*

 

[niccia]

Hi Everyone!

I am daytrader (equities). Also one of those people who would go to work everyday even if I won the lottery. I guess I have a little bit of gambler in me, and it keeps me interested and challenged as no day is like the other. My education was in premedical sciences, as I planned on becoming a doctor in university but got a little sidetracked after graduation and 3 years later I am making a living playing the markets. My fiance works in concrete.

Its been fun reading about all of your occupations and getting to "know you" all a bit better

 

[krispi]

Date: 2/25/2008 2:02:47 PM
Author: sandia_rose

Before I found the job I have now, I''d be scanning job boards and postings in different places and would be thinking, ''Wow, that''d be sooo much fun to do and I would LOVE going to work everyday...but they''re only paying entry-level wages.'' Entry-level in this market is about $25K and often without health insurance, which isn''t enough for a college kid to live on, nevermind a 39 year old with an 8 year old child. But if I didn''t have to worry about money, I''d write, do freelance photography, teach painting and drawing classes out of my home (which would be in Santa Fe or the Albuquerque foothills). My home would look like: http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/uploadedImages/articles/issues/2008-03-01/STOCK_HAVARD1.JPG and http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/uploadedImages/articles/issues/2008-03-01/STOCK_HAVARD6.JPG, and when not there, I would travel all over the world meeting people, writing about my experiences and taking pictures. If I made money, fine. If not, also fine.


Bridget in Connecticut.

Bridget, I do the same thing! I''ll see someone with a really cool job and think how fun that would be. For me, I think it''s a symptom of how much my job is not the right one for my personality and talents. It''s not a bad job really - it''s just not a good fit for me. I have thought about switching careers many times, but I can''t afford to take a pay cut. I have to make pretty close to my current salary to be able to afford my mortgage. That''s why I decided to go back to something that I previously did for 6 years and enjoyed it more than what I''m doing now. I''ve sent out several applications this week; now I just need to cross my fingers that something will work out!

 

[lisamarie84]

Interesting thread!

I''m an optometric technician. I pre-test patients (retinal photography, auto refractor, the dreaded air puff, visual acuities) and prepare the room before the Dr. goes in to see them. I also teach patients insertion/removal and care/handling of contact lenses. I take care of general office duties as well...preparing charts, scheduling, filing insurance, etc. It''s not the most interesting job. In all honesty, it becomes pretty monotonous...but it pays the bills for now. Hopefully, I''ll be going back to school in the next year so I can find a career I really enjoy!

BF is starting a new position next week He''ll be working as a Medical Government Sales Rep for AT&T in the Southeast. I''m really excited for him!! I hope that I''ll be able to take time off once in a while so I can travel with him

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I''m a development editor for an educational publisher in Boston, and FI is a project manager for a design and construction firm. He builds California Pizza Kitchens-YUMMMMM!!!

 

[mayachel]

Currently, I work as a birth doula, and help women who are trying to get pregnant, conceive through the techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage. I''m also in school to become a midwife, and can not wait to be doing that full time.